Kennard P. Howell

Kennard (Ken) Parker Howell passed away on June 2, 2025. He served as a medical corpsman and a veterinary tech in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1954, and was a graduate of Texas Tech University with a BA in Animal Science. Following graduation, he began a career in real estate appraisal, which he pursued until retirement in 1994. The last 20 years of his career were equally divided as Chief Real Estate Appraiser for the Florida Department of Natural Resources and as Appraiser Administrator for the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT). He held the professional designations of Senior Real Estate Appraiser and member, Appraisal Institute. He was active in teaching appraisal theory for both organizations and for the Florida DOT.

Along with his wife Sylvia, he was a founding member of the Big Bend Community Orchestra in Tallahassee, Florida and after moving to Lexington, South Carolina, they founded the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra (LMSO). He was a percussionist for the LMSO, Columbia Community Concert Band, the Summer Band, and St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church since 2011, where is was a member of the Property Committee, the Men’s Monday Bible Study, and Lutheran Men in Mission.

He was the past State President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a volunteer medical tech with MedMission of South Carolina, and much of his time was also devoted to organizations advocating for the mentally ill, to the Shepherd Center of St. Andrews, and to Habitat for Humanity where he completed work on his 60th home-build.

Ken had a great passion for travel, particularly international travel. He and his wife traveled to over 42 countries and have worked on medical missions in foreign countries.

In 2023, they moved to Wellmore Assisted Living in Lexington.

Surviving are his wife, Sylvia Bodie Howell; daughter, Cynthia Bodie (Mike); grandson, Brandon Eric Bodie of Lexington; brother, David W. Howell (Valerie); and niece, Shay Howell Yazzi. He was predeceased by his parents, William B. and Marion B. Howell and son, Steven William Howell.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 119 North Church Street, Lexington, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Maintenance Fund, St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 119 North Church Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072, or The Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra, Post Office Box 1093, Irmo, South Carolina 29063.

Barr-Price Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, is assisting the family.

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